Claim: Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, stated that Punjab would be the first province in Pakistan to transition its mass transit system to electric vehicles.
Fact: This claim is false. Sindh launched its fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) as early as January 2023 becoming the first province to introduce EVs to its mass transit system.
On 31 January, the Chief Minister of Punjab shared pictures of newly arrived electric buses in Punjab on X (archive), writing, “Punjab is going to be the 1st province to transform its Mass transit to electric vehicles. The first fleet of 27 e-buses has arrived. These buses are equipped with WiFi, a female section, wheelchair ramps, CCTV, and seating for special persons. Bus stops will be revamped with water coolers and mist fans.”
The claim was later shared across social media platforms.
Punjab launches electric bus service
The Nation reported that Punjab marked a new milestone in eco-friendly public transport with the launch of its first electric vehicle (EV) bus service. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated the pilot project in Lahore and personally travelled on an electric bus to inspect it, the report added.
With the launch of the pilot project, electric buses began operating across Lahore on a 21-kilometre route from Railway Station to Green Town, passing through Queens Road, Mozang, Ferozepur Road, Campus Bridge, and Ichhra, according to Samaa News.
To improve passenger safety, officials confirmed that the EV buses include a dedicated section for women and are equipped with surveillance cameras to deter incidents of harassment.
Fact or Fiction?
Within hours of Maryam Nawaz’s post on X, Sindh’s Senior Minister for Information and Transport Sharjeel Memon responded by sharing screenshots of two news reports. He wrote, “Dates of launch of EV buses in Sindh are visible in these posts.”
The screenshots were of reports published by The Express Tribune and Dawn on 13 and 14 January 2023, respectively, highlighting the launch of Pakistan’s first electric bus service.
We reviewed these news reports, which confirmed that electric buses were launched in Sindh in January 2023. According to The Express Tribune from 13 January 2023, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced the launch of Pakistan’s first electric bus service in Karachi. The service would be environmentally friendly, solar-powered, and offer affordable fares, the report added. It further stated that the initiative aimed to provide sustainable, secure, and comfortable transport for citizens.
Dawn also reported that the bus service was inaugurated by Sharjeel Memon, alongside Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani. The report added that the European-standard buses, capable of covering 240 kilometres on a single charge, would operate without causing pollution.
We also found reports from Business Recorder and Gulf News confirming that Sindh was the first province in Pakistan to launch electric vehicles for mass transit.
During a Sindh Assembly session on 31 January 2025, Sharjeel Memon stated that Pakistan’s first EV bus service was launched by the Sindh government, led by the Pakistan People’s Party. He added that only now has Punjab called for some 35 EV buses. According to Memon, Sindh was the first to introduce electric buses as well as pink buses exclusively for female passengers. He further added, “This cabinet has also decided that we are purchasing more EV buses, so while others are just starting, our fleet is already doubling.”
Virality
The claim was shared here, here, here, and here. Archived here, here, here, and here.
On X, it was shared here, here, and here. Archived here, here, and here.
Conclusion: Punjab is not the first province in Pakistan to transition its mass transit system to electric vehicles. Sindh was the first province to do so when it launched its electric bus service in January 2023.
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Background image in cover photo: @MaryamNSharif
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